Oak Park commuters will soon have a new way to get around the city.
A bike-sharing program is set to be implemented in both Oak Park and Evanston. The news comes after Pat Quinn, the governor of Illinois, reversed his opinion and approved a state grant of $3m to fund the service.
The money will be used to expand the program by adding 70 docking stations, serving 700 new bicycles in Oak Park, Evanston, and several other areas. Under the grant, Oak Park will get 12 new Divvy stations; the city will also contribute $161, 177 bikes or 20% of the cost of the startup, to the program.
Governor Quinn described the program as being an innovative and successful way for people to commute and to explore the city. He added that putting people on bicycles takes them off the roads, cuts down on traffic congestion, and gives both visitors and residents a fun way to get around.
Oak Park is delighted to be part of the program, according to Jill Velan, the city's director of Parking & Mobility Services. She noted that since the program started last year in Chicago proper, Oak Park residents have wanted to have it offered to them.
Oak Park officials could work with a flyer printing company to devise a mailer describing the program and listing the locations of the docking stations.
